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If you're headed to the state of New York, chances are you're going to visit the nation's largest metropolis, New York City. However, the state also offers plenty to see and do outside of the urban sophistication of the Big Apple, including the bucolic Catskills and more than 80 miles of hiking paths along the Appalachian Trail.

New York City

For spring or fall, pack a warm pea coat and scarf. Summers are hot and humid, so pack shorts, T-shirts, tanks tops and a light cardigan or jacket for the evenings. Women should bring summer dresses and skirts. Although New York City's winters aren't as harsh as they are upstate, they're still chilly, so pack a thick pea coat or a "puffer" goose-down jacket, along with a hat, scarf and gloves. As an option, pack a light raincoat or an umbrella for the spring or autumn. For footwear, bring a comfortable pair of sandals for the summers and boots and sneakers for the spring, fall and winter. It often snows during winter, so packing boots with adequate grip is a good idea to prevent slipping on the icy sidewalks. Bring comfortable sneakers to take long walks through the city's distinct neighborhoods, such as the Lower East Side, Flushing's crowded Main Street or Brooklyn's tree-lined neighborhood of Prospect Park. The city offers a slew of restaurants and hip bars, so pack a few outfits for going out, such as more formal dresses for women, a button-down shirt and dress pants for men and dress shoes. Other items on your checklist should include a trusted guide book equipped with city maps; a portable, light backpack for your daily essentials; and a digital camera. If you get lost, a smart phone's mapping app might also be helpful.

Hiking

New York state has miles of hiking trails, from the Catskills to the Appalachian Trail. Hiking trails are best during the spring, summer and fall up to mid-November; it snows during the winter, and hiking trails can be icy and dangerous. The Catskills have rocky portions, and along the Appalachian Trail you might even be doing some rock scrambling, so pack a sturdy pair of hiking boots along with a small backpack to store your water bottle, a hat with brim, sunscreen and lip balm. Pack loose jeans or suitable pants for hiking rather than shorts, as trails can include brambles. In the Catskills, even summer temperatures are mild, so pack light, long-sleeved T-shirts, a sweater and a windbreaker. The views in the Catskills and along the AT are spectacular, so bring a digital camera with an extra memory card.

Skiing

If you're headed New York to enjoy some winter sports -- the Catamount Ski Area, Belleayre Mountain, Greek Peak and HoliMont are all excellent options -- pack essentials like a winter hat, ski pants, ski gloves, a ski jacket and boots. If you're a snowboarder, several of New York's winter recreational resorts, such as Sawkill Family Ski Center and Cortina Mountain Resort, provide excellent snowboarding slopes. Before packing your snowboard, carefully review your airline's regulations regarding sports equipment. As winter will be chilly in any of New York's winter mountain resorts, pack plenty of long-sleeved T-shirts, turtle necks, jeans, long underwear and smart wool socks. As an option, pack ski goggles to help with sun glare. Established mountain resorts in New York almost always provide hourly rentals for skis and poles.

Swimming in the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes extends for about 9,000 square miles and are just west of Syracuse and north of New York City. If you're visiting the area during the summer to check out the region's many wineries, you'll also want to take advantage of the Finger Lakes' summer swimming spots, including lakes and streams. The region also has more than 1,000 waterfalls. Bring essentials such as a swimming suit and sunscreen, along with flip-flops and towels. You'll also want to pack insect repellant: Bugs can be a challenge in this area, especially if you're eating or camping outside. Sharp mussels also rest along some lakes' bottoms and can cut your feet, so pack a pair of water shoes or Crocs. If you have other swimming gear, such as flippers and goggles, pack those as well to explore the lakes.